After rumors of a Verizon iPhone surfaced, the geek world went crazy over the possibility that Apple would finally give US users carrier freedom without having to jailbreak their iDevices.
While an expansion of the iEmpire would benefit Cupertino tremendously (if not help thwart the rise of Android), Apple may choose to release a CDMA iPad instead of an iPhone to the disappointment of millions everywhere.
For those wondering why Apple would even consider such a move (which would create a river from millions of iTears), here are five (5!) reasons we will probably see a Verizon (or CDMA) iPad instead of an iPhone 4 in January of 2011.
iRedesign Isn’t Benign
If Apple created a CDMA iPhone they would essentially have to redesign the iDevice due to the different size of the chip.
With space inside the iPhone 4 limited as it is (hence the reason they placed the antenna on the outside) this is easier said than done.
However with the iPad Apple would have plenty of space to insert a CDMA chip (with room to spare) making this a much more likely option.
iControl Marketing
If there were one thing both Verizon and Apple have in common, it would be the fact that both are control freaks to the extreme.
While this a good thing when it comes to marketing and customer service, both companies would probably clash over marketing (as Apple would control all of that) as well as branding (none for Verizon on the phone).
Verizon may not enjoy being reduced to nothing but a “dump wireless pipe,” as well as being unable to have its official apps pre-installed on the phone (and yes, Verizon would probably make a big deal about this).
An iPad not so much.
Face To Face
Even though FaceTime is limited to WiFi only (unless you jailbreak your iPhone of course), Apple may insist on Verizon enabling this for 3G users as well.
Despite Verizon’s humorous “there’s a map for that” ads, 3G FaceTime could bring down Verizon’s network regardless of how much money they charge consumers. Verizon may not be keen to the idea of 3G FaceTime, which may not please Steve Jobs too much.
If the upcoming iPad supports a front facing camera, Verizon will probably be open to 3G calling on the device, as there would be less consumers using the iPad due to its expense (which unlike the iPhone isn’t subsidized).
GSM For The Win?!!
Believe it or not Verizon is already embracing GSM (to a degree) with their new 4G LTE network.
Truth be told it would be much easier (if not cheaper) for Apple to wait until Verizon becomes GSM friendly across the board than to spend the resources on a CDMA iPhone.
While this would not prevent Apple from creating a CDMA iPad (as they could court Verizon’s customers and test the waters early), Apple might consider it wiser to wait for GSM to come to Verizon
The iContract
Yes, Apple did sign a 5 year contract with AT&T for the iPhone. While it is doubtful AT&T would sue if Apple jumped ship to Verizon (depending on their mood), Apple may opt to honor the contract and let it expire in 2012 (to the impatience of the iMasses).
However since the iPad seems to be free from the grips of global carriers, Apple may opt to sell the iPad en mass to Verizon customers in order to give them “a taste” of the iPhone.
An iPad could also help Apple expose Verizon customers to the iVerse without having to rearrange any contracts or hardware.
Should Apple Launch A Verizon iPhone?
Yes!!! Although this author is doubtful that they will. However if Apple does consider launching a CDMA iPhone, they should expand the iPhone’s availibility to other carriers (like Sprint, US Cellular and T-Mobile on the GSM side).
However despite the fact that a Verizon iPhone would please the masses, we will probably see a Verizon iPad instead of an iPhone, the latter which may eventually be unveiled in June of 2012.
Originally posted on August 12, 2010 @ 2:14 pm